5 Ways to Motivate the Masses

5 Ways to Motivate the Masses5 Ways to Motivate the MassesKeep your team happy and working efficiently with these positive tips.Whether youre the manager of a team of five or 500, theres plenty of responsibility that comes with being a boss. Above all, ensuring you have the best team possible can be an ongoing battle. Once youve secured a strong team, youre faced with the challenge of keeping them motivated.During the often hectic 9-5, it can be easy to neglect the finer points of managing a teamparticularly when youre dealing with strict deadlines and large volumes of work. However, this is when attention to motivation matters mostFrom an optimized office space to implementing a rewards system, were looking at five ways you can motivate the masses to ensure you meet your KPIs and keep geschftliches miteinander booming.Shake up the workspaceIn terms of encouraging productivity, the office is one of the working worlds most untapped resources. With a few small changes, you can ensure b oth you and your staff are getting the most out of your environment.A standard office set-up doesnt work for everyone, so think about how the desks and equipment are arranged. Also consider whether the layout encourages or stunts efficiency. While teams who regularly collaborate might benefit from sharing a workstation, other team members might prefer to work alone. Figure out what works for you team and start utilizing your office environment to its full potential.Take a breakIf you want to help your team stay motivated, taking a timeout is key. Whether its regular breaks throughout the working day or holiday allowance, time away from the office is essential to the productivity of your staff.Increasing working hours to meet tight deadlines can breed unhealthy attitudes towards work. In order to promote positivity in the workplace, ensure possibilities for down-time.Roll out the rewardsIf youre looking for a way to encourage hard work, a bonus system could be just what youre looking for. From an Employee of the Week scheme to team wins, recognizing the efforts of your staff will add an extra incentive and boost individual and inter-departmental motivation.As well as providing a welcome treat, reward systems can encourage healthy competition within the team inspiring your employees to pay attention to their productivity.Hone in on healthWhether its an irregular sleeping pattern, poor diet or lack of exercise, an unhealthy lifestyle will have a direct impact on the motivation of your team. By going back to the basics, you can help improve the overall health of your team.Install an office water cooler or introduce stand-up meetings. Small changes like these could help you reap big rewards as well as reduce the number of sick days.Be flexibleWhile teamwork is at the heart of what keeps a business ticking, its unlikely that your staff run on the same schedule outside of the office. By introducing flextime, youll give your staff the vorkaufsrecht to manage their wo rk-life balance. Whether its starting work later or finishing earlier, your team will be more inclined to stay focused and motivated during their customized working hours.

A deep dive into how to properly ask for a raise

A deep dive into how to properly ask for a raiseA deep dive into how to properly ask for a raiseOften, whether or not youre offered a raise has little to do with your job wertzuwachs. Instead, your compensation may be based on your departments budget, your managers priorities, and (in some cases) whether or not your employer thinks they can keep you doing such a great job for cheap.The bottom line is this To get a raise in this non-merit-based world, youve got to make the case for it. Heres a deep dive into how.What to say when asking for a raiseYou have to be strategic when asking for a raise. The specifics will depend on your job, your goals, and your individual situation, but there are a few tactics you could take that work across most industries. Adjust as necessary to fit your situation.Define your goals and ask for adviceBefore you the raise conversation, sit down with your manager and make sure they know what your goals are. Tell them that your first priority is to do a great job in the role youre in- but that youve got your sights on advancement.Then ask for your managers advice. Solicit feedback on the job youre doing, and enlist their help in setting you up to make the next move. Implement their advice, and let your manager see that youre doing everything you can to meet their requirements.This puts you in a stronger position when you do sit down to have that raise conversation down the line.Toot your own hornBecause no one else is gonna toot it for you.Assume people at work will take you for granted- thats why you need to make sure they notice your achievements. Be proactive and systematic in communicating your successes.Track down the results of your projects, assemble numbers and data, and make sure your babo knows the impact youre having. Keep them informed on the outcome of what youve done, and dont be shy about sharing often. This way, by the time you ask for a raise, your boss knows youve earned it.Demonstrate your valueThe most persuasive data across most industries is money- how much you saved or earned your company. If you can walk into a raise conversation with these numbers in your back pocket, your boss will clearly see the cost-benefit analysis of giving you a raise.But even if you cant tie specific dollar amounts to your value, you can still make sure your boss knows what youre worth. Give concrete details about the outcome of projects youve managed and specific accomplishments youre responsible for.Tell a story about a problem you solved- start with the state things were in before you stepped in move on to what you did and then talk about the outcome. What youre essentially doing is developing a testimonial- and you can develop as many of these as you have accomplishments.Keep short versions of these testimonials in your pocket for when youre having a mora casual conversation with your boss- and a longer version for when youre sitting down across from them to ask for a raise.Keep the focus on why you deserve more , not why you need moreThe cold truth is, you mightneedmore money. Bills dont pay themselves. But your boss is not going to be as moved by your story of need as they will by a different story one where youre highly valuable and might move somewhere else if they dont try to keep you.Your boss wants to reward you based on wertzuwachs, not need. Avoid bringing up personal reasons for needing a raise. Stick to successes youve had on the job, and tie them to concrete numbers as much as possible.Anticipate your bosss objectionsWhat are all the reasons your boss might say no? Give some thought to these- and have a plan for how youll respond. Consider your bosss point of view- what are their priorities? How can giving you a raise serve their needs?Once youve written out some of your bosss possible responses and your answers to those, practice. Get a friend or trusted colleague to read the dialogue with you. Get used to keeping your cool and meeting these responses with well-reasoned answers .Focus on shared goalsThe language you use is important. Focus on how paying you more benefits the entire company, not just yourself- and express your desire to help the kollektiv and excel in your role and career with the company.This is particularly key for women. According to a recentHarvard study, women are often unfairly perceived as selfish when asking for a raise- much more so than men- and have to be especially careful not to come across as self-serving.Using we language- focusing onweandourinstead ofIandmystatements- can be an easy shortcut to using the kind of inclusive language that wont turn your boss off.How much should you ask for a raise?To determine whats a good pay raise for you, youll have to do some research.Go onPayscale.com,Salary.com,Glassdoors Know Your Worth tool, or theOccupational Outlook Handbook. Look up the average salary for your position and your part of the country. Find out what other people are making.If youre underpaid, youll need to know that goin g in. Asking for the median salary for people in your job description and location is generally easier asking for a number in the top of the sortiment can be done, but youll need to justify it.Do you have more education than most people in your position? Do you have more experience than most? Are you worth a lot to the company (in terms of the amount youve either saved or earned for them)? These are all important justifications you can use when asking for a raise at the top of the typical pay scale.Bear in mind that the average raise percentage is somewhere between 1 and 5%. The bigger the raise youre asking for, the more youll have to demonstrate an extraordinary contribution and value to your company.How to ask for a raise when you are underpaidDuring your salary research, you might find that youre criminally underpaid.Take a deep breath- go punch something inanimate if you have to- and then start formulating your strategy.The tactics for asking for a raise when youre underpaid ar e similar to those when you arent- but it helps to know the numbers. Walk in with data on how much people are paid in your position and area, using a range of tools.Consider your bosss objections, too. For instance, maybe the reason you make less is that you have less education than most people in your position. One way to respond to this is with concrete numbers about how youve benefited the company, showing a clear, dollar-sign value for your work.How to ask for a raise when given more responsibilityYour boss trusts you to take on more- and thats great But make sure youre not being asked to do more work for the same pay.Gaining more responsibility is a great sign, but you may have to push for a corresponding pay raise. First, document all your new responsibilities. Write down the tasks youre responsible for on a daily basis, and note how each one contributes to the company. Track the positive outcomes of any projects youve done.If the new responsibilities youre taking on correspon d to a specific job role in addition to the one you currently serve, know what people in that role are getting paid in your area. Walk in with a strong idea of whats realistic to ask for, given the market.How long do you wait to ask for a raise?The standard answer to this question is one year.However, some situations arent standard. For instance, if your job has significantly changed, or if youve taken on more responsibilities than you had when you first started, you have good reason to ask for a raise before that time.How to ask for a raise in writingIf you decide to ask for a raise in writing, youll need to build your case in writing.First, consider your audience. Your boss is much more likely to want to give you a pay raise if it benefitsthem,not necessarily you. For instance, if youd be tough to replace or if youve earned or saved your company a lot of money, or if you have rare skills.Consider what makes you valuable and hard to replace. With that information in mind, here are a few tipsRead over your original job descriptions. Pull out the most important bullet points and list the ways you go above and beyond on those.Track the outcomes of your projects and initiatives, and state clearly the benefits theyve brought to the company. List specific numbers and percentages- especially dollars saved or earned- whenever possible.Express how youve gone above and beyond in your role- and the results youve had. Tell a story that starts with a problem, details how you solved it, and shows the positive outcome clearly.Be clear about the amount of increase you want. Do your research beforehand and know what people in your role and area are getting paid, and know whats a reasonable amount. If youre asking for money on the top end of the pay scale, be prepared to justify that.Stay positive, and emphasize your commitment to the company and the team.What is the average salary increase for 2018?Not so great. Most companies are planning to raise wages about 3% in 2018. Tha ts downright stingy.However, theres hope. According to theJune Job Market Update, unemployment in the United States is currently around 4%- and companies are struggling both to fill positions and hold on to their current workforce. That means your company might be desperate to keep you, even if that desperation isnt showing up in your paycheck.It means, in other words, that your boss may be particularly receptive to the idea that to keep you around, they have to boost your pay.But every industry is different, which is why its so important to do your research and keep your number realistic.Whats an example of how to ask your boss for a raise?We can give you all the advice you want- but sometimes what you need is a concrete example. Dont say we didnt ever do anything for you.This shouldnt be copied word-for-word, of course- and it may not work for your industry. But heres a very general example of how to make the initial ask in writing, including a request to meet to finalize the deta ils.Dear Your Boss,Ive enjoyed working as a Sales Associate at ABC Company for the past five years, and feel Ive grown a great deal in my career. The skills Ive learned in this position have allowed me to make a strong contribution to the companys bottom line.Here are some of the achievements Im most proud of from the past yearEarning Presidents Club recognition for my sales performance two out of three quarters.Securing over $500,000 in revenue by developing and launching highly targeted sales strategies.Leading the effort to expand into a new, highly competitive market, securing 50% market share.Leveraging my network and connections to secure 5 high-profile new clients, worth approximately $1.5 million in total business.Throughout my time at ABC Company, I have met or exceeded all of my revenue goals. I have also implemented new processes to streamline sales operations, and I have trained team members in best practices that have further boosted our bottom line.I would greatly appr eciate the opportunity to discuss my current salary with you. I am requesting a pay raise of 5%, which I believe is in line with both industry salaries in this area and my value to the company.As I stated before, I am very happy to be working under you at ABC Company, and I look forward to making a positive contribution to ABCs bottom-line performance for many years to come.Sincerely,Your NameIts time to go for itIf youre going to ask for a raise, do your research. Know what youre worth, and what other people in your position are being paid. Keep the conversation positive, and your request realistic- and hopefully youll get what you want.Thisarticlefirst appeared onComet Financial.

Add Value Through Contributions in Your Organization

Add Value Through Contributions in Your OrganizationAdd Value Through Contributions in Your OrganizationThe value you add is the real contribution you make to your organizations success. Performing the activities listed in yourjob descriptionor yourjob specificationis important and makes a contribution. However, your value-add moves beyond mere activities or tasks performed and illuminates, instead, the overall contributions you make to your organizations success. Value-added activities or contributions most often produce measurable results for your company. These are things that make the company better, more profitable and a nicer place to work. What Does Value-Add Mean? To use a physical comparison, value-add is the difference between a products selling price and the cost of the materials used to produce it. In this example, the value-add? is the combination of labor, machine investment, shipping and distribution, marketing, packaging, and more that add value so that a customer will purchase the raw materials that initially were the only product. Activities and Accomplishments that Add Value Value-add contributions include measurable roles and activities. These are examples of value-add activities and contributions with ways to carry them out Saved Money Often people only think about making money, but saving money can be just as valuable, if elend more so. While salespeople go out and make money, an HR person can add value by reducing turnover, which saves a fortune. An accountant can save money by implementing an internal audit that catches errors before they cause problems. Awed Customers Lots of customers are customers of habit, and a competitor can break that habit by offering a sale or a nice perk.Awed customers dont let competitors inthe door (or in the case of retail, dont go into the doors themselves). This is not just about meeting customer needs, its going above and beyond to make sure the customer is satisfied. Increased Sales This is the m ost obvious of the value-added activities. A company needs income to survive and selling something is how that happens. Increasing those sales, whether through a salesperson who is a smooth talker, or an engineer who develops a new product that practically sells itself, brings increased sales to the company and a clear indication of added value. Reduced the Time or Steps to Complete a Work Process Have you ever had a job where there was a long, tedious process to produce a monthly report? Everyone hates things like that. What if you could reduce the time needed to get this report done? What if you automated it? Everyone would sing your praises forever. Benefits of Adding Value Employees who have an identifiable, noteworthy value add impact on their organization are eligible forpay raises, promotions, recognition, and appreciation. When you ask your boss for a promotion or a pay raise, mention these value-added accomplishments specifically. Dont just say, I do a great job, and I am ready for a promotion. Say, I do a great job. For example, through my anti-bullying program, Ive been able to reduce turnover in critical departments by 10 percent.This program has also increased employee morale, and made our company reviews on Glassdoor shine. Take responsibility for the great things you do and the value you add to the company. When you remind your boss of these accomplishments, your performance rating will skyrocket and your career will move onward and upward. When you are supposed to write your personal evaluation each year, these are the types of things you should list. Enhancing Your Resume When you write a resume, instead of listing tasks like, produced a monthly report, list the accomplishment, Reduced the amount of time to complete monthly reports from two weeks to two hours by developing an automated process using Microsoft Access.These are the employees that organizations most want to retain and recruit. When you list those things on your resume, yo u demonstrate the types of value you can add, and become someone whom people want to hire.

Putting Stay at Home Parent on a Resume

Putting Stay at Home Parent on a ResumePutting Stay at Home Parent on a ResumeQ What specific resume recommendations do you have for job-seekers who have been out of work for a period of time because they chose to be a stay at home parent?A I would NOT put Stay at home parent on a resume. Ive seen it, and it just doesnt seem professional. I also would not lie and make things more than they arent- if you were a member of the PTA, dont say Ran local large educational charity entity. That said, if you DID chair a major fundraiser and have demonstrable or quantifiable results, and it is germane to the standort you are applying for, you can mention it.I think it is important to address the time you spent out, but then focus on why youre ready to get back. A cover letter might be a good place to do soIve spent five years at home with my children, but as I transition back into full-time employment I found myself extremely interested in x position because it fits my skill set of That is, men tion the time of, and then move on to why you are a good fit for the position. Talk about how youve kept skills up to date, projects youve completed (perhaps on a consulting basis), and the like.Continue reading a Featured Interview with Meghan McCartan of Detours OnRamps.

The True Story About Example Resumes That the Experts Dont Want You to Know

The True Story About Example Resumes That the Experts Dont Want You to Know Taking a few hours to actually clean up your resume is well worth doing before you begin a work search, or even just once a year for a tune-up. If you have sufficient experience and wish to demonstrate how much you have worked in a particular field, you can decide to earn a chronological resume. If you discover that its online, great as you conserve time. There is definitely a time and a location for a resume overhaul. You may also read more on the very best approach to use our resume samples here. The very first thing you will need to do is gather all of the info youve got about you and which may be included in a resume. Do notlage let yourself be discriminated or screened out based on something which you do in your spare time. The majority of the examples of resume you will discover on the internet are highly professional and will be able to help you build your resume in a limited time, in a skilled and appealing way. You will be able to observe how closely your resume matches with the job descriptions in regard to important words, and see how you may be able to broaden your odds of being contacted by recruiters seeking a great match Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job. In truth, its a good idea to ask references what they would tell a prospective employer about you so you will know ahead of time. The History of Example Resumes Refuted Youve got to start from current job to your very first job. Your jobs could possibly be varied, your experience and abilities vast, and it can be challenging getting it all on paper. A fundamental job resume is fantastic for candidates that are fresh out of college and are probably searching for an expert start. Finding the correct job is a struggle. You must give only the necessary details of interest to the work position, youre applying for. Or you might be unexpectedly la id off, and must start work search. You may check targeted jobs to learn what keywords are appropriate, and people in your area. Even in the vorstellung youve never held an official job, its still true that you have life experience thats applicable to the work search. Read resume articles focused on specific facets of job searching and the way to use your resume. Handling your societal networking pages can definitely take a significant part of somebodys daily life. If it comes to resumes, you will discover a lot of website providing high normal examples of resumes which could serve you as model for a professionally written letter. You dont need to have a whole lot of design knowledge to earn a header that looks sleek and catches a recruiters eye. Please view our sample resumes to extend a guide in making your own resume. Your goal in constructing your resume is to make an effective marketing and advertising tool. Based on your industry or whether youre an academic, you mig ht actually have to use a CV template. Since you may probably know, there are numerous stages of writing a resume and in order to acquire very good benefits, you are going to have to stick to each one very carefully. Things You Should Know About Example Resumes There are a few great alternatives to a traditional resume format that make it possible for you to focus more on your abilities and accomplishments, in contrast to the amount of your career. The information that you include in your resume and the layout of your resume will ride on your abilities and experience in connection with your career objective. Its helpful to create a list of all your high school and college experiences. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. By highlighting accomplishments using action verbs, you make an established track record to get rid of all doubt. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how t o vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. However much or what type of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. What Example Resumes Is - and What it Is Not Volunteer experience is also a great add-on to healthcare resumes as it shows the hiring manager you have compassion off the work too. Youre attempting to find information on the business, company environment, goods, and services, to be able to learn how youre fit in based on your abilities and strengths. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with several of the very same skills.

The Downside Risk of Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable That No One Is Talking About

The Downside Risk of Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable That No One Is Talking About Thus the writing and editing geschftsleben in the area of newspaper editing is an extremely professional job. As a consequence, there is a sizable demand for freelance writers. Hence you must make your novel writers of your novel writing geschftsleben understand to generate a start to be based upon the a variety of guidelines that are stated above for your enterprise. The work of novel writing and editing is a very long term project in comparison with the newspapers and magazines because it includes creative writing in the primary sense. Where to Find Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable Therefore, if you would like to prepare your own company so you do not have to address angry bosses, private money lenders will help lend you money to attain that dream of yours. If you are operating a company or seeking to accomplish any personal goal, its simple to become side tracked by the minuti ae. Your business is dependent upon word of mouth. PERSONAL CONCIERGEThis business is for someone whos supremely efficient and has the capability to make things happen. The New Angle On Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable Just Released Telling you are in possession of a very important part in business. Growing the company is necessary by employing various marketing and advertising procedures. Youre often at your organization topics. The very first step in advertising your company is to get referrals from family members and friends. How to Find Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable on the Web Education books Theres also a business requirement when it regards the writing and editing of the books for assorted education boards, schools, colleges together with some project thesis. A painting job demands a lot of practice, patience and precision and since its so time-intensive, most homeowners choose to outsource it to an expert painter. There are two or three routes you may take with resume writing. When you are beginning your resume writing company, you might have to guess the nonbillable hours. Have a look at the client needs for each undertaking and see the way that it may be converted to a lengthier term procedure and payout. In the event the business is being operated from a tangible place, thena certificate of occupancy (CO) has to be obtained. Resume writing business may also be grown using franchise. The Tried and True Method for Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable in Step by Step Detail JEWELRY MAKINGExperience, training or licensing may be neededThere are various methods of getting into the jewelry business and several different kinds of materials with which youll be able to do the job. So, youve got to get a niche as a way to be paid higher than the marketplace. Now the majority of his company is from business clients. ELECTRONICS REPAIRHas expansion possibilitiesThis business is much like the computer repair business, but you are going to take on all types of electronic equipment besides just computers. Whether youre a company owner, operations manager, or just a serial entrepreneur, if youre searching for a job youre going to want a resume. As any business owner will inform you, running a restaurant is a very challenging job. If you have begun a business before but it didnt go too well, it is possible to still argue you have past experience which will be beneficial in your next organization. Also consider how much non-billable time you want to spend on your organization. Gossip, Deception and Is a Resume Writing Business Profitable So for those who have a number of skills, make certain you say that. You also have to be prepared to develop your abilities and talent. In starting a resume writing business, you should really learn to write resumes for various professions. There are a lot of voreingestellt kinds of resumes used to make an application for job openings.

SpicyResumes.com Launches Offering Creative Resume Templates to Boost Visibility

SpicyResumes.com Launches Offering Creative Resume Templates to Boost Visibility SpicyResumes.com Launches Offering Creative Resume Templates to Boost Visibility Hertzel Betito, founder and owner of SpicyResumes.com, says his companys line of professional resume and CV templates provide instant visual recognition and improved employer response ratesAll of our templates have a secret ingredient that makes all the difference, said Betito. Our creative staff has determined the right mix of colors, fonts and other creative elements that work together to reinforce a positive impression and maximize the profil for review.If you fail to capture their attention in the screening process, then your CV probably will not survive the first cut, Betito continued.Spicy Resumes templates can be edited and modified to suit an applicants personal preference with Adobe Photoshop CS4 or above. The Spicy Resumes package includes information and tips to make editing and printing each template simple.Cov er letter and business card templates are also added with some template packages, allowing jobseekers to coordinate their resume design with all elements of a professional job-hunting system. Spicy Resumes offers a menu of creative concepts that are not only creative, but demonstrate a strong and functional use of typography.Spicy Resumes templates are priced at $7 to $8 a piece and are available for immediate download.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

How to Be Appreciated by Your Co-workers - The Muse

How to Be Appreciated by Your Co-workers - The MuseHow to Be Appreciated by Your Co-workersHow many times have you thought how great it would be if your co-worker congratulated you on your latest project, or said Happy Birthday, or asked how you were feeling when you were having a terrible day? And how often has that thought actually turned into an action?Its nice to be appreciated and connect with the people you work with. The thing is, no ones a mind reader. However, Im sure we can all agree youd love to hear these lines mora often.1. Great JobYouve just submitted a proposal that took 10 long days (and nights) to complete, and youre silently fist-pumping, yet no one seems to notlageice your excitement. Or, the only congratulations you get on that new initiative is a formal email from your boss that merely says Good work.Sure, its nice to get a shout-out from the person above you, but nothing makes you feel truly accomplished than the recognition of your colleagues. Even if they wer ent a parte of it and have zero idea what any of it means, just a small part of you wishes they would at least lend you a high five- or, even better, ask you more about it.2. How Can I Help?Youre practically sweating through your shirt and your desk is a mess. Doesnt anyone see your struggling to get through the day? Doesnt Turner from accounting have anything better to do than shoot paper balls into the nearest trash can?Youre not incompetent (and you certainly dont want anyone to think you are), but an offer of a helping hand would make your day a whole lot better- even if you ultimately turn it down.3. Thanks for the HelpNot only did you do all your work, but you managed to assist Tracy in tackling that big client report. You didnt mind, because you like Tracy and knew how important it was to her. But, a simple thank you wouldnt hurt, especially because no one else stepped up to the plate when she was in need (and that report did mean you had to stay past 7 PM).4. Are You OK?Your e sleep-deprived, youre going through a personal issue, your boss just gave you a negative review on the last project you completed. You may not want to talk about it- or, on the contrary, you really, really need to vent- but regardless, youd be so grateful if someone beat you to the punch and asked how you were. 5. Do You Want to Grab Coffee/Drinks/Lunch?Even though youre an introvert, or tend to leave the office early to be with your family, youd actually really love to get to know the people you see from 9 AM to 6 PM every day (beyond what they eat at their desk for lunch every day). You may not have all night, but youd be thrilled to throw a time on your calendar for a quick coffee or post-work cocktail. Honestly, you could use the break.Did I strike a note on any of these? If so, the best advice I have for you is to lead by example. Want to get help? Give it. Want your peers to appreciate you more? Notice when others are doing awesome things and shout them out. Its that simple- and it makes all the difference in creating a work environment thats supportive for all, including you.

How to Provide References With a Job Application

How to Provide References With a Job ApplicationHow to Provide References With a Job ApplicationIn the past, employers typically waited to ask job applicants for references until they were serious contenders for a job. Occasionally, however, companies will request that applicants provide alist of referenceswhen they initially apply for a job. This tends to happen more in conservative industry sectors like the legal profession, jobs in childhood education, in the building trades, and on federal job postings. How Companies May Ask for a Reference For example,the job postingmay read Required Applicant Documents Cover LetterResumeList of Three References Alternatively, the announcement may state, To be considered for this position, please fill out an online profile and attach the following documents titelseite letter, resume, and a list of three references. When providing the company with references, dont list your references on your resume. Instead, include a separate, attached page with a list of three references (or whatever number the company asks for) and their contact information. Who to Use as a Reference Your list of references should includeprofessional connectionswho can attest to your qualifications for the job. Your references dont have to be people who work at your current job in fact, you shouldnt use references from your current manager or co-workers if the company isnt aware you are job searching. The last thing you want is for your boss to learn from one of his or her competitors that you have approached them regarding a new job. Instead, you could use colleagues from previous jobs, professors, clients or vendors, people you have worked with if you have volunteered or belonged to a church or sports group, or a former employer (if youre sure that they would provide you with a positive reference). You might also use LinkedIn connections whom you feel you have a good rapport with. If you are short on references because of a limited work histor y, is to use apersonal referencewho can attest to your character and abilities (such a teacher, pastor, or club sponsor). Permission and Confidentiality Its always a good idea toask for permissionto use someone as a reference in advance - before you give out their name. This will allow you to determine, by their response, whether they feel like they could provide a positive reference. If they (or you) have any doubt as to the strength of the reference they might provide, look for someone else who would be more willing to vouch for you. Verify that you have the correct contact information and ask the reference how they want to be contacted - phone, email, etc. Also, ask if there are specific times during the day when they would be willing to be contacted, should they allow you to provide their phone number. If possible, give them a list of the jobs you have applied for so that they are aware ahead of time of which employers might be contacting them. Finally, ask if you can send t hem a current resume or any other information they might need in order to be prepared to provide a glowing description of your work and of your character. In addition, if you are currently employed, ask your reference giver if they can keep your request confidential. As mentioned above, you dont want your employer to find out through a third party that youre job searching. Finally, remember that asking for references is a key part of professional networking and that the favor goes both ways. If you ask someone for a reference, offer to stand ready to provide them with one should they ever need it. Always write a formal thank-you notenzeichen or email both after theyve agreed to serve as your reference and after youve landed a job. People like to know that their efforts have contributed to anothers success. Heres more information on who to use as aprofessional reference. What to Include ona Reference List The reference list should contain full contact information for each referen ce including name,job title, company, address, and contact information. For example Janine MercantileManagerABD Company12 Demonda LaneHartsville, NC 06510555-555-5555j.mercantileabdco.com ExpandIf you are selected for an interview, print out copies of your list of references to bring with you, along with extra copies of your resume. Keep Your List of References Updated In an economic climate where people are more willing and likely to job hop than their parents were, it can be a key job strategy to create, maintain, and update a reference list that impressively reflects your career history. Networking (through both your own personal circle of contacts and through sites like LinkedIn) can be very valuable in building a reference list. Keep your reference list current and ready to apply for jobs, by touching base with your references now and then. Remember to letthem know when youve applied fora job or have been selected for an interview, so they are aware they might be contacted.